{"id":2638858,"date":"2026-08-01T12:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T16:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/like-graham-platner-but-worse-gop-group-vows-42m-campaign-against-last-minute-replacement-democrat\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T12:55:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T16:55:22","slug":"like-graham-platner-but-worse-gop-group-vows-42m-campaign-against-last-minute-replacement-democrat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/like-graham-platner-but-worse-gop-group-vows-42m-campaign-against-last-minute-replacement-democrat\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Like Graham Platner But Worse&#8217;: GOP Group Vows $42M Campaign Against Last-Minute Replacement Democrat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flike-graham-platner-but-worse-gop-group-vows-42m-campaign-against-last-minute-replacement-democrat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2638858&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A coalition of Republicans plans to spend at least $42 million to oppose Maine Democrat Troy Jackson, who was recently nominated to replace Graham Platner in the Senate race. The attack ads criticize Jackson\u2019s temperament,citing reports of anger issues,conflicts with women,bullying,and intimidation,along with an ethics investigation into his second home and unpaid taxes.jackson, a populist Democrat and former Maine Senate President, now supports civil rights legislation and a federal right to abortion, diverging from his earlier conservative positions. He faces incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held the seat since 1997 and has significant campaign funds. Jackson lost a primary bid for Maine governor earlier this cycle amidst various scandals and endorsements from figures like Bernie Sanders. The ad aims to portray Jackson as worse than the scandal-plagued candidate he replaced, emphasizing his controversial conduct and political shift.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A Republican group has vowed to spend at least $42 million against the new nominee to be one of Maine\u2019s Democratic senators, Troy Jackson, the Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The Maine Democratic Party picked Jackson, a former logger and state senate president, at a Saturday <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/07\/25\/politics\/maine-democrats-troy-jackson-party-convention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">convention<\/a> to replace its former nominee, Graham Platner, who dropped out of the race after his ex-girlfriend accused him of rape. The same day, the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) announced it would be spending $42 million on the race against Jackson \u2014 including a six-figure ad buy \u2014 and launched a 30-second ad declaring the new nominee is \u201cworse\u201d than the scandal-ridden man he replaced on the ballot.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChuck Schumer forcefully removed Graham Platner from the ballot against the will of Maine voters, only to replace him with a deranged and scandal-plagued political insider,\u201d SLF Communications Director Chris Gustafson told the DCNF. \u201cMainers value steady leadership that yields real results for the Pine Tree State, making Susan Collins the clear choice once again this November.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cVolatile personality. Anger issues with women. Verbal abuse,\u201d narrates a voice during the SLF\u2019s new ad obtained by the DCNF. The ad cited and quoted both a July 20 <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/07\/20\/politics\/troy-jackson-maine-senate-anger-allegations-invs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from CNN and a July 21 <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/campaign\/5981393-senate-nominee-troy-jackson-temper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from The Hill.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not Graham Platner, it\u2019s Troy Jackson. Jackson has a history of conflicts with women, bullying, even intimidation. Jackson\u2019s conduct was so bad his fellow Democrats raised alarm bells about his temperament,\u201d the ad\u2019s voiceover continues, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/leading-dsa-candidate-to-replace-platner-accused-of-hitting-female-colleague-during-argument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">citing<\/a> other July <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2026\/07\/20\/democrat-set-replace-platner-maine-led-state-senate-with-temper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reports<\/a>. \u201cJackson is like Graham Platner but worse.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The Republican super PAC\u2019s ad also references a 2023 <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2023\/09\/07\/ethics-panel-reviewing-formal-complaint-against-state-senate-president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from The Portland Press Herald stating an ethics panel was reviewing a complaint regarding Jackson\u2019s second home. Some Republicans at the time said the then-Senate president\u2019s conduct may have amounted to mortgage fraud, according to the local Maine outlet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">SFL\u2019s ad also cites the Bangor Daily News\u2019s Wednesday <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/07\/22\/politics\/troy-jackson-back-taxes-gubernatorial-bid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> that Jackson owed $4,600 in back state taxes during his failed bid for Maine governor earlier this cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s the real Troy Jackson,\u201d the voiceover concludes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The northern Maine Democrat is set to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate who has held the seat since 1997. Collins is the only remaining upper chamber Republican who represents a state former Vice President Kamala Harris won in the 2024 general election. The longtime GOP senator ended the second quarter of 2026 with $11 million on hand, the Maine Morning Star <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/mainemorningstar.com\/2026\/07\/16\/latest-filings-show-susan-collins-widened-cash-advantage-against-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Jackson came in third in Maine\u2019s June 9 Democratic gubernatorial primary. His governor run was notably endorsed by both <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/05\/21\/politics\/elections\/graham-platner-votes-maines-democratic-gubernatorial-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Platner<\/a> and socialist Independent Vermont Sen. <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2025\/05\/21\/politics\/elections\/maine-bernie-sanders-troy-jackson-endorsement-governor-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bernie Sanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cTroy Jackson lost his bid to be Governor and he will lose his bid to be Senator,\u201d National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said in statement sent to the DCNF. \u201cJackson is a Democrat socialist who has only made life harder in Maine, while Susan Collins has secured $1.5 billion in funding to benefit Mainers in all 16 counties.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Platner had won the Democratic Senate primary, also held June 9, with over 70% of the vote against 78-year-old Gov. Janet Mills, who had already dropped out. Platner reported $1.7 million in cash on hand a little more than a week before he exited the race in disgrace, according to the Maine Morning Star.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The oyster farmer and Marine veteran\u2019s landslide win came despite the fact he had been embroiled in various scandals at the time, including <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/04\/us\/politics\/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html?eafs_enabled=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">allegations<\/a> of abuse by his ex-girlfriends, resurfaced incendiary Reddit posts, and his previous decision to get a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Platner had been endorsed by many prominent left-wing figures, including Sanders, who only <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/sen-bernie-sanders-says-graham-platner-should-drop-out-of-the-race-after-sexual-assault-allegation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">withdrew<\/a> his support after the Maine Democrat\u2019s later rape allegation surfaced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Jackson is widely viewed as being on the Democratic Party\u2019s populist left flank \u2014 like Platner \u2014 and both men hold very <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/25\/nx-s1-5902982\/democrats-maine-senate-race\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">similar<\/a> views. Notably, both Jackson and Platner have used the word \u201cgenocide\u201d to refer to Israel\u2019s military actions in Gaza. Jackson, however, had previously taken significantly more conservative positions, including beginning his political career in the early 2000s as a Republican <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/07\/21\/us\/politics\/troy-jackson-maine-senate.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opposed<\/a> to abortion and same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Jackson now supprorts a \u201cfederal right to abortion\u201d and \u201ccomprehensive civil rights legislation protecting the LGBTQ+ community,\u201d <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonformaine.com\/priorities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to his campaign website.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the SLF <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/senateleadershipfund.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">describes<\/a> itself as \u201cthe only outside organization solely dedicated to protecting and expanding the Republican Senate Majority.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. 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